Good morning and Happy Sunday. How have we arrived at the second week in December already? Advent is a season of preparation, and that's precisely how I've spent every spare moment this week - making lists, shopping, writing Christmas cards, and decorating. As a result, it's been pretty quiet at Lakeside Musing with only two posts (The Makioka Sisters for The Monday Mention and Top 10 Tuesday highlighting books on my Christmas list). But I have it on good authority that Santa read the second post, so there may be a few books under the tree this year after all.
Current reading:
Without Reservations by Alice Steinbach
Reading a few pages before nodding off to sleep just isn't conducive to finishing books. No matter... I'm closing in on the two thirds mark and savoring every page.
Current listening:
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What we Do in Business and Life by Charles Duhigg
Random House has added the author to their Open House line-up.. what a happy coincidence!
Anticipating:
A trip to New York City later this week for the Hurricane Sandy-delayed Random House Open House.
Planning ahead:
I'm thinking about the direction my reading and blogging will take in 2013. James' TBR Double Dog Dare will certainly figure into the mix, but changes are coming. Look for a full post as the new year begins.
Inspiration:
It's been years since my last adventure in knitting, but my brother posted a photo on my facebook wall that could push me to dust off my needles. Zelda would most likely find this reindeer hood beneath her dignity, but I think it's adorable.
Today's plans include cleaning and laundry (how exciting!) and more decorating. Later we'll have dinner with my family. If all goes well, there could be some reading and blog-hopping, too. Do you have a long to-do list today? Are you reading anything good right now?
Hi JoAnn, I'm here via Trish's blog: Desktop Retreat. I had to check out your blog because you spell your name the same way my sister did. I don't come across it that often. It's usually Joanne and others similar. Love your blog! And WOW, I'm so envious of your trip to the Random House Open House! Have a great time!
ReplyDeleteHi Becky, I'm happy to meet you. You wouldn't believe how often my name gets misspelled - I'm glad to know your sister spelled it the correct way ;-) Seriously, I've only met one or two other people that spell their name this way. My oldest daughter graduated from college last spring and lives in NYC now, so I'm looking forward to spending time with her as much as I am the Random House event. Should be an exciting few days. Welcome to Lakeside Musing. I look forward to visiting your blog, too.
DeleteP.S. I'm your new follower!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I'll get to see you on Friday at Random House. How is your daughter doing?
ReplyDeleteDiane - My daughter has fully recovered from the hurricane and is loving her life in NYC now. Looking forward to seeing you on Friday!
DeleteOh, the reindeer hats are too cute! particularly on those long well-bred faces.
ReplyDeleteI will be baking today for tea with a friend. I haven't managed much Advent or Christmas prep, besides putting lights up last night, which does always lift my spirits (I can't have a tree thanks to intrepid cats who can't resist climbing).
Lisa May - I love Christmas lights, too, but just HATE putting them up. They always seem to bring out the grinch in me but, thankfully, I have a very patient husband.
DeleteHmmm. A warmish raint grey Saturday/Sunday is not as conducive to the Christmas spirit as a cold snowy Saturday was. But I have two batches of cookies in the freezer (yay!) and I might tackle the rugelach today (or not). I've just arrived in Bath with Harold {listening to a few chapters before falling asleep is not conducive, either :)} and I just started reading Great Expectations, by Robert Gottlieb about Dickens' children. Everything else in my immediate reading lineup is on my Nook, and I just needed to hold and a real book in there somewhere. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAudrey - We're planning on marathon baking the weekend before Christmas, so I need to stock the pantry this week. The weather here hasn't been very conducive to Christmas spirit here either, but I'm not complaining. As soon as my shopping is done and the girls get home, I'll be ready for a good snowstorm. Then maybe I can stay home and read...
DeleteOh, do dust off those needles! But, be warned... it can become addictive and may cut into your reading time!
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower as well, and I started reading your blog to help me reconnect with my 'reading self'. I am always reading something, but it is usually at night in bed for as long as I can stay awake. As you commented, this can make the reading progress slow.
I just ordered The Makioka Sisters after reading your review. It will be in line after I finish Lost Horizon... and all my Christmas knitting!
Liliea - Welcome to Lakeside Musing! I'm laughing because I started following your blog to help inspire me to knit again... hopefully we'll be a good influence on each other. It's been over a decade since I did any knitting and my skills are sure to be more than a little rusty. I'm thinking about signing up for a guided project class at the local yarn shop after the holidays, just in case I need some help. I hope you like The Makioka Sisters. It's really wonderful once you learn all the names. Reading about the courtship/marriage process was fascinating!
DeleteSuch a cute group of dogs there....the knitted hats are just what they need...lol
ReplyDeleteI've been lazing about with books and movies and trying to avoid any house cleaning...but I won't be able to do that for long!
Here's MY SUNDAY SALON POST
Laurel-Rain Snow - That's sounds like an ideal day to me... enjoy it for as long as you possibly can ;-) Thanks for visiting!
Deletelol -the hoods are indeed adorable :D
ReplyDeleteAna - I've since learned that patterns exist for hoods featuring several other animals... don't know if I can resist, lol!
DeleteI'll be waiting to hear how the Random House event goes. I wish I wasn't all the way out here in Arizona - I'd love to attend!
ReplyDeleteI've been compulsively reading The Making of a Marchioness today. It is fantastic!
Anbolyn - I have The Making of a Marchioness on my tbr shelf... so glad to hear you're loving it!
DeleteYes - I have the day off and will be there on Friday! Looking forward to meeting you.
ReplyDeleteColleen - That's great! I'll see you Friday.
DeleteOh my gosh how cute. I wish the reindeer caps had holes to accommodate Lucy's ears.
ReplyDeleteThomas - I'm sure ear holes could be incorporated into the pattern... Lucy would most definitely need them ;-)
DeleteYes, I bet Zelda would be embarrassed, but it is awfully cute:)
ReplyDeleteDiane - There are patterns for other animals, too!
DeleteI had every hope that I'd get to relax and read a little, but it didn't happen. Husband decided we needed to golf. It was gorgeous out, and I had a good score, but I really needed some down time. I'm excited to hear about how the Random House event goes!
ReplyDeleteSandy - Well, golf sounds like fun, too. Can't wait for the Open House!
DeleteLet us know about the Random House open house. Sounds intriguing and full of possibilities.
ReplyDeleteHarvee - The Open House is sure to be a great event and it will be fun to finally meet other book bloggers!
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful time in New York! Oh I wish I could be there! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marie. I wish you could be there, too!
DeleteThose reindeer hoods are just too cute!
ReplyDeleteCarol - There are other animal patterns available, too.
DeleteLove the reindeer hoods. Glad you have found Alice Steinbach. I loved her books. Without Reservations was her first one and then she did a sequel to it where you learn more of her relationship with the Japanese man. Her third one was a book of short stories. Sadly she died a couple years ago and there will be no more. I simply adored her. Hope you do too. Pam
ReplyDeletePam - I'm already planning to read Steinbach's sequel... this is a wonderful book!
DeleteI didn't get any reading done over the weekend, but I forced myself to read The Round House today because I am a tour stop tomorrow and man... I don't think I have ever read anything so fast! It was really good too.
ReplyDeleteTi - I just read your review and now I want to read The Round House, too. Congrats on finishing in time!
DeleteI'd like to give Without Reservations a try. Probably listening it on audio would be even better. I'll def. check to see if it's in the library.
ReplyDeleteArti - I'm not sure if there is an audio version, but it is a wonderful book - will definitely be reading Steinbach's other work.
DeleteI love those hoodies for dogs!! Heck , I would wear one for fun!! I didn't get any reading down over the weekend but it's all good. Checking out the challenge that you referenced and looking forward to 2013!
ReplyDeleteStaci - LOL, they would make great people hoods, too!!
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